8.24 NCIS Season Finale - Pyramid

[dragonheart]

I have to say I came out this episode as meh!

 

 

My thoughts:

·         The resolution of P2P was too easy, I wanted more from this.  He basically committed suicide by cop, an easy way out – for him and the writers.

·         Vance is Dr. Frankenstein.  The project was his brainchild, but SecNav and Kort distorted it and used it for personal gain. Why did Kort need to “read” them in if Vance knew along?

·         SecNav should be facing criminal charges not retiring to a comfy house in the suburbs.

·         Trent Kort, I swear that man has nine lives – he is now causing trouble in Israel – on a side note, he is one hot mess and that accent kills me, but I hope one day Tony gets the satisfaction of arresting him or putting him on Ducky’s table.  Kort is a bad, bad man.

·         Palmer is getting married – yes! I hope he can show the others what it means to have a mature, loving and committed relationship.  Anyone else wishing that the writers would take a page out ofjelenamichel ’s Bound series? 

·         Ducky – wanted more Ducky – always want more Ducky – who do I call to get more Ducky?

·         Of course Gibbs knew (from the beginning) that EJ was SeNav’s niece – he is Gibbs and he is a primo investigator

·         Loved that Ziva defended EJ to Tony when he seemed perturbed that EJ didn’t mention that fact to him...

·         EJ – I actually liked her in this episode – she was a real person – not some caricature of what she thought a tough female agent should be.  Now we know why she came across the way she did, she had a lot to prove – to herself. I am glad that she lived, but disappointed that she didn’t go back to Rota.

·         And speaking of Rota – Tony still doesn’t want it – he is happy right where he is. And did EJ have the authority to offer it to him? Me thinks not.

 

Now the meat of it for me…..

 

My biggest problem this week comes from my ship – seriously Tony and Ziva – have you both been dropped on your heads? – I need something to explain your actions, because I am confused…. Let’s start with

Tony

·         He is a pitiful boyfriend; really, I am beginning to wonder about him.  Your girlfriend/lover has just faced a serial killer, she has lost her team and you talk to her like you are talking to just another agent?  I wanted you to reach out and hold her – show her you care.  She got just as much comfort from Ziva as she did from her “lover”.  And don’t tell me it was because they were at work – they were alone and in the same room where they originally hooked up, besides if anyone had witnessed a hug, it would hardly be held against them. Epic fail Tony, epic fail

·         The goodbye with EJ was unsatisfying.  She’s staying in DC, so they may or may not hook up again – was it just sex? For both of them? She didn’t look too sad to walk away. Someone said it was a workplace goodbye and I might buy that except for the fact he hasn’t been emotionally or physically connected with her for the past two episodes. My Tiva heart is happy about that, but I am disappointed in Tony, maybe because if he and Ziva ever end up together I don’t want him to treat her the same way, somehow I doubt that would be the case, but still…   

Ziva

·         Please tell me how you can go from not talking to a man for weeks to calling him your boyfriend and running off half cocked to his hotel room?

·         Do you really want an empty box filled with empty promises?

Tiva

·         Tony was really concerned about Ziva and didn’t care that EJ knew it – “well it’s different for some of us” and the look on his face when he said it.  Yes, he cares for her deeply – and even the anti’s can’t deny it.  They will say it is friendship and not love, but please - there was more emotion in that one statement than he showed in his whole conversation while trying to comfort his lover. 

 

Tony/EJ

·         I do believe the love affair is over.  She may be in DC and they may hook up, but that’s it, I don’t think either of them wants to pursue it further and that’s not my Tiva talking, that is based on the interaction between the two of them over the past two episodes.

 

Ziva/Ray

·         I don’t think it is over yet, but after Ray does whatever he does in Israel – it will be.  She won’t take kindly to him messing with Eli and you know this is where that is going. Eli is a monster and she knows it (only too well) but Ray should not be the one to slay that dragon.

 

My #1 issue:

That cliffhanger setting us for season 9 – haven’t we been down this road once?  I am seeing shades of season 4 where Tony is keeping secrets and no good can come from that.  I am hoping that the writers redeem this storyline so it won’t feel so rehashed – throw us a curve ball – and show us BAMF Tony who steps up, takes charge and takes names so speak – And speaking of names, whose name is on that paper?

 

My guess it is EJ’s – only because of that hinky chip in Levin’s wrist – a good way to get sensitive information through security and that team did travel – a lot – who’s to say they didn’t have clandestine meetings while in Australia and Hawaii?  Not all baddies hang out in the Middle East you know.

Comments

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Gah. Sounds like I didn't miss much. I actually expected it to be less impressive than "Swan Song" because, ever since season 6, the finale has always been half as good as the episode that preceded it (Semper Fi vs Aliyah, Patriot Down vs Rule 51), but based on the internet reaction, it seems even worse than that.

Re: Tony & another undercover mission. Wouldn't it have been nice if he had told the guy point-blank "no." I mean, seriously, after all the blowback that occurred because of the Frog op?

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

Re: Tony & another undercover mission. Wouldn't it have been nice if he had told the guy point-blank "no." I mean, seriously, after all the blowback that occurred because of the Frog op?

This. And also, we already had a mole at Ncis storyline and a Ziva's boyfriend is keeping things from her storyline...none of the above turned out so well, so why repeating them?

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

I'd say "lack of originality" but my decidedly less than positive view on modern NCIS is well known. *shrug*

[swithers.livejournal.com]

So much of what you've said echos what I've said over at ncis_verse apart from the Tiva stuff of course :p

Still I was surprised at the U turn with Ziva & Ray, she breaks up with him, doesn't talk to him for weeks and then suddenly he's her boyfriend, they're considering marriage as if nothing's happened...

As for the Israel thing, I took it to mean than Ray had to take care of Trent Kort, rather than anything to do with Eli, but who knows I may have read the message wrong...

[dragonheart]

nope, you read it right - it was a message that Kort was in Tel Aviv and an order for Ray to take care of it ASAP, but you know Daddy Eli will make an appearance (Gary Glasberg hinted at it in his season 9 preview)and you just know the writers can't resist the urge to bring Ray and Eli together somehow - because of course, he (Ray)has to end up hurting Ziva in the worst way possible - just my thoughts, but I can so see it going there

[swithers.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen the season 9 preview yet, but it might be interesting. Would not want to be Ray if he hurts Daddy David. I think Eli worked towards rebuilding bridges with Ziva in Enemies Foreign and Domestic and even if they hadn't anything happening to Eli would still hurt her; and anyone that hurts Ziva is gonna have to deal with Gibbs and Tony...

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

If you find out who to call to get more Ducky, do let me know - and I'll call too, as will a lot of people I know.

I'm sorry you were so 'meh' about this.

The whole Tony is going to lie to Gibbs and the team again and hey, we think there's ANOTHER mole inside NCIS - really! Why are we rehashing again?

I don't think it's EJ's name on the paper. It would be too easy, too neat, too what we all want. Plus, if it is then surely, surely Tony has to say 'no way'. He won't go down that route again. Whether they have split up or not, it's too like the whole Jeanne thing to my mind.

[dragonheart]

I agree, EJ is the obvious choice, thus probley a red herring. But I can't wrap my mind around who else it could be; GG said it is an agent we know, so it's not a random agent, that only leaves a short list (without EJ and Cade) and those alternatives are too painful to contemplate, unless.... A new thought....
It is one of our beloved team, but instead of working to expose them, Tony works to prove their innocence, that would fit with GG's comment that S9 is about the team pulling and working together.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing it's going to be Gibbs's name or maybe Tim's. It can't be Ziva as we've already done and cleared her. So that only leaves those two - unless it's a random agent we've met once or twice.

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Who is this "Tim" person of whom you speak?

And just cause they've already done the clear Ziva's name thing once doesn't mean they won't go there again (as indicated by Tony Undercover From Team & Ziva's Latest BF Hiding Things from Her plots rearing their heads again.)

[dragonheart]

I would like to see Tim get some more face time, so I would actually be ok with it being him, with the caveat that he is innocent and Tony is helping rather hurting him.

[proseac]

As I said last night...it's Vance. Gotta be. Technically he's still classed as an agent, even if he is Director. It explains so much, including the reason New SecNav wouldn't discuss it with him ahead of time.

Also it sets us up for lots of Gibbs/Vance conflict next season as the noose tightens. I see Tony taking over the team by end of Season 9. Gibbs will either move into Director's chair, or get fired by Vance before it's over.

Don't know what's wrong with me, but I really enjoyed the ep last night. Maybe I just need more time for it to sink in, I'm still basking in the afterglow? Hee! (Maybe because I'm an on-the-fence Tiva fan, that's why it didn't bug me so much?)

[proseac]

Who is this "Tim" person of whom you speak?

ROTFLMAO!!!

[dragonheart]

Tim is so sweet and innocent and a real stand up guy, so it might be interesting to see what kind of evidence they have against him. Would really like to see the flip of this scenario, Tim investigating Tony for suspected foul play, oh, I like it, I really do.

[dragonheart]

hey, I am just glad you are on the fence..hee

I have already watched it again this morning and picked up on even more Tivaness, so my anxiety is leveling out somewhat.

And I am beginning to hope that this whole Tony is keeping secrets thing just might not be a rehash if they handle it right.... Really want my BAMF Tony

[kew121]

Who is this "Tim" person of whom you speak?

I'm having the same reaction as proseac1...I'm dying laughing. Yes, poor McGee. Hat guy needs a plotline/reason to be there stat. I love him.

[proseac]

Seems they haven't known what to do with him this season at all. Kind of like the early years of Star Trek:TNG with Counsellor Troi.

Maybe that's why they're resurrecting McAbby??? Sigh - I'm kind of happy about that, but hope they have more in store for him than just being Abby's "other half".

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Well, honestly, it isn't just McGee they obviously don't know how to deal with. Look at what they've done to Ziva over the last couple of seasons. She's been kind of marginalized and turned into the Token Girl of the team, rather than the ass-kicking ninja she used to be. And is Ducky still on the show? Because his presence is sorely missed. (Along with plots that make sense...)

In my ideal world, Fornell would begin an active campaign to recruit McGee away from NCIS ... and he'd succeed. But then, in my ideal world, a lot of things would be different...

A lot.

[alidiabin]

Agree totally.

Gary Glasberg writes Ziva so badly. She was so out of sorts in that episode, the only IC bit was when she told EJ Levin died because it was his time. Meh indeed.

S9 is going to be S4 (Tony hiding things from the team) and S6 (NCIS moles and Ziva's bf in Israel) evil love child.

[whiteink]

I made you a present!

[whiteink]

All I saw in that last sentence was "Tony...Ziva...love child" We all know where my focus is! lol

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Gary Glasberg writes Ziva so badly.

And the sad part? He's in charge now.

[alidiabin]

*sobs*

Guess, I'm gonna have to find a new show, wait ... Criminal Minds got rid of their kick!ass girl character (Emily) and H5-0 is dumb. Guess I'm gonna have the best exam results in the country then seeing as I'll have no TV to distract me.

[alidiabin]

*smirks* yeah we do.

[dragonheart]

I love it! Thank You, I have made it my userpic!

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

This time I have to agree.

Unlike you, I actually enjoyed both season 6 and 7 as a whole (though there were some episodes I don’t plan of watching ever again *glares at Mother’s Day and Obsession*) but right now I find myself mostly unimpressed with season 8. It had some solid episodes and there were some scenes that I loved, but it kind of went downhill in the second half. The producers added too many characters that none of the fans cared about and didn’t use the main ones well.

[la-loony.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling like the Ray protector right nowxD

BUT I don't think he is planing on messing with Eli in any way. The message was pretty clear. 'Kort is in Tel Aviv. Handle it ASAP.' Gibbs asked SecNav and Vance who was handling Kort...now we know. CIA is handling Kort. They sent Ray after him. I assume to kill him off, Kort caused the agency some trouble in the past. Would be sad, I liked Kort he was pure CIA snarky agent to me.

For the empty box...just imagine there would've been a ring! I'm not sure what kind of gesture it is but I'll get behind it.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

He really is *Pets Tim* My feeling is the evidence is a fake or just a mistake anyway. I'm fairly certain the whole thing will come to nothing. But given Tim's hacking abilities, etc. etc. maybe someone could have twisted that?

Oh, yes, Tim investigating Tony would be wonderful. As I said in my review if they had to rehash the two plots, why couldn't it have been Tim doing the investigation.

[whiteink]

I though you'd like it...now of only I had EJ sporting a huge rock :)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I think it's Gibbs - but it's going to be a mistake/an attempt to frame him. It's going to all come to nothing *sighs*

Unless it is Vance and the SecNav is 'lying' for some reason and is going to keep him out of the loop, it has, to my mind, be one of our team. I'd go for Gibbs first, then Tim and then Ziva - even though they have cleared Ziva only last season, when has that stopped TPTB?

Whoever it is it's just two rehashed plots that are unnecessary IMHO. Why can't they find something new?